By: SCAG Racing (Photo Credit: Auto Imagery)
MADISON, Ill. (Sept. 27, 2024) – Justin Ashley and the SCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel dragster team are in full acknowledgement of the opportunity they have heading into the weekend’s NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway just outside of St. Louis.
The Midwest Nationals mark the third of six events in NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs and the SCAG Toyota team are sitting second in the points standings, just 53 back from the lead.
“Our SCAG Toyota team is especially eager to begin racing this weekend. We have a tremendous opportunity to continue pursuing our goal of bringing a world championship to SCAG Racing,” Ashley said. “That comes with a lot of responsibility and that’s exactly how we like it. We are focused on being the very best team that we can be both on and off the racetrack. It’s in our best interest to take care of our business and let the rest take care of itself.”
Ashley has handled his SCAG Toyota dragster to five final round appearances with three wins at the Winternationals in Pomona, California, Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals, and Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. A No. 1 qualifier and semifinal finish at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania to start the Countdown to the Championship put Ashley in the points lead by just one over Antron Brown but a No. 4 qualifier and second round exit at the Carolina Nationals, coupled with Brown winning the event, shifted Ashley to second.
Ashley and World Wide Technology Raceway go way back. Ashley has raced at the facility for a handful of years but his memories of the top-notch facility go back to the days of his father racing.
“This will be my fifth consecutive year competing in St. Louis but some of my favorite memories from this racetrack actually took place when I was a kid,” Ashley said. “My dad raced Pro Mod for many years at World Wide Technology Raceway and we would take family trips there to watch. I still smile thinking about it.”
Ashley will look to add to those fond memories this weekend as he chases his first win at the facility and a chance at the NHRA Top Fuel points lead.
The NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway will kickoff with four rounds of qualifying on Friday and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated for Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with qualifying shows Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET and an eliminations show on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
